Dealing with the contradictions and challenges of faith, disbelief, and living and dying

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

A House Blessing

I have to say I am quite excited. I have been asked to do a house blessing.

As some of you know, the DelRosa are was badly scoured by a raging fire in the Fall of 2003. I arrived at the church in July of 2004, with no parsonage since it had been burned by the fires, and several members still in transition states from their homes being burned by the fires.

A few of the members have been struggling through the process of rebuilding. One of the members finally got her home rebuilt in the first part of this year. She is so excited, and has done a great job of getting her details into the home. She has since had it landscaped and it looks beautiful. It is handicapped accessible, with a rail at the front door and wheelchair access along the sides.

She is going to be having an open house and asked me to do the house blessing. In anticipation of this event I spoke with a friend about 2 years ago and asked if he had any resources for such an event, especially since they are pretty prominent in Hawaii where he had served at one time.

So here is a house blessing, modified from the Book of Worship. May you have such an opportunity in your ministries.

A Service of Blessing for DRUM

GATHERING

GREETING

Jesus said, “Behold, I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20).

Friends, we are gathered here to seek God’s blessing upon this dwelling place, which by the favor of God and human labor has been renewed.This place is not only a dwelling but a symbol to us of God’s loving care, and a symbol of our life together in community.Let us therefore bring our praise and thanksgiving for the goodness and mercy we have received from God, and let us offer ourselves to one another as loving brothers and sisters in the family of God.

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray.Almighty and everlasting God, grant to this assisted living center the grace of your presence, that you may be known to inhabit and defend this household and its residents; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.Amen.

SCRIPTURE:Matthew 6:25-33

SYMBOLIC ACTS

+Lighting a candle

“May the light of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, shine within your hearts”

+Opening a Bible

“May the Word of the Lord grow within your hearts and minds, guiding your journey.”

+ Lifting up of the Cross

“May the sacrificial love displayed in the death and resurrection of Christ point you toward

the promise of eternal life.”

THE BLESSING

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the holy and triune God, we bless the family and friends of this dwelling place, committing to God’s love and care all who dwell within these walls.

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.Let your love rest upon this place and let your promised presence be manifested in it.

May each person here grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.Teach them to love, as you have loved us, and help us all to live in the peace of Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

BENEDICTION

May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace, now and forever more.Amen.

About Me

I am a pastor in the United Methodist Church. I have a beautiful and wonderful wife and child. I grew up in Bishop, California (the Mule Capital of the World - thank you very much!) I attended Emory University and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.